Insurance after WLS - ThinnerTimes

Christina · 10-12-2004, 02:09 PM

As many of you know I haven't had Medical Insurance since June of this year. Why you may ask?? Because my employer switched payroll companies or whatever and since that time it has been one hurdle after another to try and get coverage. When I finally had a ray of hope and they got the stuff together to get Insurance not enough people elected to have the coverage so they could only offer us Individual Insurance as opposed to a group plan. The problem with that.. after I went through the process of getting my paperwork in, is that after you have Gastric Bypass you NO LONGER QUALIFY for an individual plan. Is this discrimination? You bet your sweet butt it is. Who makes this call anyways?? I will tell you who.. they are called mathematicians .. pencil pushers, number crunchers.. you name it. Are they physicians? Are they educated on the fact that after WLS most patients are healthier then probably they are or their teenage kids are?? NO! They don't know jack! I am not bringing this up to upset anyone, but had I been more informed I would have stuck with the cobra plan and went with that after my Insurance lapsed. I want so much to blame my employer, and yes he is partially to blame. I want to blame these so called Insurance companies and yell and scream at the top of my lungs to them. But they won't listen. They simply say for the 5th time in two days to me that I am denied. I do however qualify for a vast amount of "medical discount" programs where there are no pre-existing clauses. I thought well now that sounds wonderful.. until I learned more about it. Basically you still pay out of pocket and pay about $120.00 a month to get a DISCOUNT on your medical services.. that's a bunch of crap.. sorry but it is. So finally I found someone who will insure me on a group plan (Just so you know you can still qualify for group insurance benefits after WLS just not private) I have to join some type of Independant workers union and they guarantee health insurance coverage in a group plan from Health Net. So there I stand doing that. However, I am not going to just sit back and take that type of answer of being denied from an independant coverage because I am a WLS survivor! I will keep you updated on what I am doing to shake things up in congress or wherever I have to do it to get this thrown out as a pre-qualifying condition.

pambragg · 10-12-2004, 02:49 PM

Go get 'em girl. That is a bunch of b.s. that is definitely discrimination.

watergirl · 10-12-2004, 03:21 PM

I've got your back my friend. You need any help with that, you just let me know! How frustrating!

bridgetgirl · 10-12-2004, 03:39 PM

Fight, fight, fight Christina... and to anybody else who is changing healthcare coverage, lie, lie, lie! If they ask if you had any surgeries, lie your butt off!

lealphachienne · 10-12-2004, 04:25 PM

My husband was denied a life insurance policy after having bypass. Can you believe that? Smokers can get a policy.......

bridgetgirl · 10-12-2004, 04:33 PM

That is friggin pathetic.... its life changing, not life ending! Oh we need a lawyer folks... can you say class action lawsuit? Are there any lawyers in the house?

Red Feather · 10-12-2004, 05:02 PM

This article may be benificial to any and all in a situation where you feel an "argument" is needed!

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...sity_surgery_4

Butterfly · 10-12-2004, 06:22 PM

I cannot believe that the insurance company denied you benefits! Please let us know the outcome of your follow up. Also, let me know if you need help. That just "chaps my hyde." Calm down now Irela... On the "Health Net" side, I have had that insurance for a long time now and I really like it. They have been very supportive of my situation and surgery, etc.
Keep us posted sweetie and don't give up!

melanie hirschorn · 10-12-2004, 07:43 PM

I just applied for life insurance as mine expires in a couple years and i got approved no problem since i'm so healthy now.
melanie

Christina · 10-13-2004, 08:09 AM

Oh I have a fight on my hands but I am willing and able to step up to the plate. I just don't see how we can stop getting discriminated against. I guess the cycle never stops does it?